Wood-wind instrument



March 10. 1925.

L. ALBERT WOOD WIND INSTRUMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 filed Nov. 10, 1923 1. F-

0 m T m 5 platform 5 on its left side.

Patented Mar. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES LUCIEN ALBERT, OF BRUSSELS. BELGIUM.

WOOD-WIND INSTRUMENT.

Application filed November 16, 1923.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be itknown that I, LUCIEN ALBERT, a subject of the Belgian king, residing at Brussels, Belgium, have invented certain new and 5 useful Improvements in lVood-Wmd Instruments, of which the following is a spec1lica tion.

This invention has for its object to provide a mechanism applicable to clarinets of all types, permitting to place technically the hole of the B flat in the lines, said note being controlled by a key which is opened by the usual fingering viz, with the octave key, the hole of the octave key being closed for the B flat, contrary to what previously existed, whereby a perfect sonorousn ess of this note is obtained.

The accompanying drawing shows, by way of example, several embodiments of the mvention.

Fig. 1 shows a general view of the device. Fig. 2 represents a side View of the octave key.

Fig. 3 shows several detail views.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are modified forms.

The mechanism comprises (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) a ring 1 welded by its end to a hinge rod 2 rotating between two pillars 8. To the hin e rod 2 is welded an arm 4 having a Said platform 5 underlies the lower end of the key 6 which turns axle 7, and carries, at the other end, the plate 8. The ring 1 being under the pressure of the thumb, the platform 5 rises and maintains the key in closed position, viz the plate 8 closes the hole of the B flat.

The hinge rod 2 is connected by a bridge 2 to another hinge rod 2 carrying an arm 9 which underlies the lower end of the key 10 rotatable on axle 11 and carrying the plate 12 which closes the hole of octave under the action of a needle-spring which maintains normally the arm 9 and, consequently the ring 1, in their raised position.

A spring of weaker strength tends to raise the plate 12.

Above the plate 12, is arranged the upper end) of the cranked key 14 (called octave key 16 of which key has the form of a spattle.

The upper end of the lever 14 presses normally on the plate 12 under the action of aspring 17 (Fig. 2) of a greater strength than of the spring 13.

18 is a hinge rod pivotally mounted berotating on axle 15, and the lower end fl Serial No. 674,070.

tween two pillars 3 and carries two arms dirooted in opposed direction and one of which presses on the upper part of the key 6, while the other, 20, underlies the spattle 16 under the action of needle-spring.

By this arrangement, when the mechanism is at rest, the hole of the octave as well as the B flat are closed.

If a pressure is exerted only on the spattle 16, the upper end of the key 14 is raised from the plate 12, but this last remains in its closed position under the action of the arm 9, while, by means of the arm 20 and of the hinge 18, the arm 19 rises in order to open the hole of the B flat (the plate being some distance below the key 6).

If there is a pressure exerted only on the ring 1, the arm 9 disengages itself from the key 10, but this last remains in the closed position under the action of the upper end of the key 14; the same occurs with the key 6 which remains closed under the action of the arm 19, the plate 5, coming to bear against the lower part of the key 6.

If pressure is simultaneously exerted on the spattle 16 and the ring 1, the upper end of the key 14 rises and the arm 9 lowers, which completely disengages the key 10, and the plate 12 rises to disclose the hole of the octave.

On the contrary, the arm 19 rises from the key 6, but the plate 5 comes to press under the lower partof the key 6 and maintains the same in the closed position.

The three positions are thus as follows:

(a) If one presses on the spattle 16, the plate 8 rises and discloses the hole of the B flat, whilst the plate 12 remains on the hole of the octave on which it applies.

(7)) If there is a pressure exerted on the ring 1, the plates 12 and 8 remain on their seats and the hole of the B flat, as well as the hole of the octave, are closed.

(0) If one presses simultaneously upon the spattle 16 and upon the ring 1, the plate 8 remains on the B flat, whilst the plate 12 is rising from the hole of the octave.

In the first position, as the hole of the B at is technically placed at the required spot and at the dimensions required, the B flat issues freely with perfect accuracy and sono rousness.

In the modified key 10 instead of key 14, is placed in form shown in Fig. 4, the being located under the the plane of such key.

ble at 22 and the upper, end of which underlies the lower end of a second rocking arm 23 rotating at 2a, the upper end of which is located under the lower end of the key 10.

It is to be understood that the elements (members) might still Vary as to their form and sizes, withoutdeparting from the principle of this invention.

Having thus described my invention I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In aclarinet, a hinge rod, arms carried thereby, means for rocking the said hinge rod, a key controlling thelhole of the B fiat, said key being located above one of said arms, a key controlling the hole of the octave, the end of said key being arranged above the other of said arms, and a rotatable spring controlled lever terminating adj acent said means with one end arranged above the key controlling the octave hole, a second hinge rod, arms carried thereby, one of said latter arms underlying one end of the lever and the other overlying the key controlling the hole oftheiB fiat.

2. In a clarinet, a hinge rod, two arms carried thereby, an operating ring secured thereto, a springcontrolled rocking key controlling the hole of the B flat, the end of said key being located above one of the arms of the hinge rod, a spring controlled rocking key controlling the hole of the octave, the end of said latter key being above the remaining armof the hinge rod, a spring controlled lever having one terminal arranged adjacent the ring and the other end controlling the hole of the octave, a second spring controlled hinge rod, two arms carried thereby, one of said arms underlying one end of said leverl and the other of said latter arms overlying the, key controlling the hole of the B. fiat.

In testlmony whereof I my signature.

LUGIEN" ALBERT.

Witnesses WV. VVAEssEoonE, EMIL VONWARRELE. 

